Monday in Hawkville

WORD OF THE DAY
Memories. As in, have you heard, Mike Holmgren is taking his current team to Green Bay this week to face his former team in the second round of the NFL playoffs?

The Seahawks coach just finished a length – and reflective – Q&A session with reporters, and his tenure as coach of the Packers was a major and repetitive topic. From seemingly every possible angle.

So, for those emailers who were hoping to avoid this redundant topic – Holmgren already has taken the Seahawks to Lambeau Field six times, counting pre-, regular- and postseason games – sorry. And brace yourself.

One nugget that no one could remember Holmgren sharing previously was that he interviewed with six teams after the 1991 season before deciding to take the job in Green Bay.

PLAYER OF THE DAY
Deion Branch. Will the team’s starting flanker be able to play against the Packers? Holmgren’s response to that question was a resounding, “Maybe.”

Branch has missed the past two games with a strained right calf. He didn’t play in Sunday’s wild-card victory over the Redskins because he lacked the quickness and explosion he needs to play his game, Holmgren said.

Branch said after the game that he definitely would play against the Packers.

The first step, of course, will be to return to practice for the first time since straining the calf two weeks ago. Holmgren said Branch might be able to practice Tuesday, when the players return from their day off to begin on-field preparations for the Packers.

INJURY REPORT
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has a sore thigh – a “Charley horse,” as Holmgren called it – from the hit he took while scrambling on a third-down play in the third quarter against the Redskins. Cornerback Fred Smoot hit Hasselbeck so hard that it broke the QB’s thigh pad.

That’s why Hasselbeck spent a good portion of his day off in the training room getting treatment.

The Seahawks emerged from Saturday’s game with no significant injuries, but some players with bumps and bruises might be limited in practice this week.

QUOTE UNQUOTE
“Mike Hologram.” – the spelling of Holmgren’s name in a Jan. 3 release from the league listing the playoff winning percentages of the coaches that advanced to the postseason.